Pongamia tree named ‘K206’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Pongamia  tree ( Pongamia pinnata  (L) Pierre) named ‘K206’ is provided herein.  Pongamia  tree ‘K206’ is distinguished by having an open canopy, medium sized leaves with olive green color, short current season&#39;s twigs, long inflorescences, and abundant production of seed pods coupled with the high oil content of the seeds.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof Pongamia tree is ‘K206’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pongamia is a species of tree that belongs to the Fabaceae family ofplants. The botanical classification of Pongamia is Pongamia pinnata (L)Pierre, although these plants are also known by a number of synonymousbotanical classifications including, for example, Millettia pinnata (L)Panigrahi, Derris indica (Lam.) Bennet, Pongamia glabra Vent, andCytisus pinnatus (L).

As a member of the Fabaceae family of plants, Pongamia trees are legumesand are capable of fixing their own nitrogen. Pongamia can grow well ina variety of environmental conditions, including areas with malnourishedsoil. Pongamia seeds also contain a profile of chemicals having a numberof uses including, for example, commercial preparation into skinointment and as a fuel source.

Pongamia trees are capable of growing in otherwise challengingenvironmental conditions and produce seed oils with beneficialproperties. There exists a need for Pongamia varieties that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present disclosure is directed to animproved variety of Pongamia tree. In particular, the disclosure relatesto a new and distinct variety of Pongamia tree (Pongamia pinnata (L)Pierre), which has been denominated as ‘K206’.

Pongamia tree ‘K206’ was discovered growing in a cultivated area insoutheastern Queensland, Australia, wherein it and neighboring trees aregrown for shade and other landscape amenities. The parentage of thistree is unknown, as is typical for trees cultivated in landscapeplantings of this type.

The original donor tree (and source of clonal material) of ‘K206’ wasidentified and selected primarily on the basis of its consistentproduction of large and abundant seed pods, coupled with the high oilcontent (38.4%, dry-weight basis) of its large seeds. This selectedindividual was assigned identity number ‘K206’. Subsequently, branchcuttings were collected from the donor tree and rooted by treating thecuttings with the rooting hormone indolebutyric acid (IBA) using eitheran aqueous solution of IBA (500 ppm) or a commercially available rootingpowder. Dehydration of the cuttings was avoided by placing them inmoistened rooting medium within a humid enclosed chamber. Rootingsuccess varies from one collection event to another, which is normal forcuttings from mature trees. Typically, 10% or more of the cuttingsinitiated root development within 3-4 weeks.

Pongamia tree ‘K206’ has been asexually reproduced via rooted cuttingsin the Brisbane area of Queensland, Australia, as well as in Texas andFlorida, U.S.A. In addition, shoots of ‘K206’ have also been graftedonto seedling rootstock using either a top-cleft graft or a side-veneergraft. These asexually propagated plants remain true-to-type, and showconsiderable resemblance among one another after accounting forvariation in overall size of the propagated cuttings and seedlingrootstocks.

Pongamia tree ‘K206’ is particularly and distinctly characterized by itsopen canopy, upright branchlets, short current season's branches bearinglong inflorescences, and copious quantities of fruit pods containingseeds with high seed-oil content (38.4%, dry-weight basis). Pods tend toappear in dense clusters. ‘K206’ demonstrates excellent vigor, withcasual observations suggesting it is reasonably resistant to insect anddisease pests, at least relative to other Pongamia trees growing in thegeneral vicinity. However, susceptibility or resistance to specificinsect and disease pests has not been determined.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Pongamia tree ‘K206’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs,which show e.g. the plant's form, branches, foliage, leaves, trunk,pods, and seeds as specifically described below. The colors shown are astrue as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the whole tree of Pongamia tree ‘K206’ inQueensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be 15-20 yearsold when photographed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the whole tree of Pongamia tree ‘K206’ inQueensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be 15-20 yearsold when photographed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the tree trunk of Pongamia tree ‘K206’ inQueensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be 15-20 yearsold when photographed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a 5-year-old clonally propagated ‘K206’tree in Florida, USA.

FIG. 5 illustrates a 5-year-old clonally propagated ‘K206’ tree inFlorida with the smooth bark on the main trunk. Mottled patches on thebark primarily reflect differences in lichen growth. Stretchedlenticular scars appear as horizontal striations along the bark.

FIG. 6 illustrates the short current season's branchlets andodd-pinnately compound leaves from a 5-year-old clonally propagatedFlorida-grown ‘K206’ tree. The compound leaves generally have 7leaflets. The leaflet at the bottom (right) is oriented to show theunderside.

FIG. 7 illustrates the irregular branching pattern arising from the leafaxils and short current season's twigs from a 5-year-old clonallypropagated Florida-grown ‘K206’ tree. Leaves were removed for clarity.

FIG. 8 illustrates the long inflorescences from a 5-year-old clonallypropagated Florida-grown ‘K206’ tree.

FIG. 9 illustrates semi-mature pods along with fully mature dry pods ofa 5-year-old clonally propagated Florida-grown Pongamia tree ‘K206’. Drypods are split open to show seed. The branch shown has 4 rachises bornein the axils of basal leaves. Each rachis bears 3-6 immature pods.Leaves were removed for clarity.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the phenotypiccharacteristics and the distinctive features of Pongamia tree ‘K206’.Descriptions are from trees that are 5 years post-transplant into thefield in Florida, USA unless otherwise noted. Standardized colordesignations herein are with reference to The Royal HorticulturalSociety (R.H.S.) Mini Colour Chart, Sixth Edition, 2015.

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Fabaceae.        -   Botanical.—Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre.        -   Common name.—Pongam tree, pongam oiltree, or Pongamia.-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Vigorous tree of moderate size and stature, 7 m in            height. Crown diameter, measured at the drip-line in two            dimensions, is 5 m×6 m.        -   Trunk.—The trunk of a 5-year-old Florida tree is bifurcated            at a height of 60 cm from the ground, with the average            breast-height diameter of these two major stems measuring            9 cm. The trunk can have numerous epicormic branches at its            base, however, this trait is somewhat variable among            different trees. On 5-year-old trees in Florida, epicormic            branches numbered 0-4 along 61 cm of basil trunk,            averaging 3. The fresh vegetative growth on an epicormic            shoot ranges from 15 cm to 50 cm long and from about 3.5 mm            to 8.0 mm in diameter.        -   Bark.—Light olive grey in color (RHS 197B) with smooth or            faintly vertically fissured bark on the main trunk.            Light-colored greyish yellow green (RHS 197D) and            dark-colored greyish yellow green (RHS 198A) mottled patches            on the bark reflect differences in lichen growth.        -   Form.—Decurrent crown form with younger open-grown trees            having greater breadth than height. Average height of five            four-year-old trees in Florida was 3.0 m (range of 2.2 to            3.4 m) whereas their average crown width was 6.1 m (range of            5.8 to 6.6 m). The canopy is characterized by open foilage            and upright outer branchlets. Periodic pruning may be used            for size maintenance.-   Branches    -   -   Branch numbers and dimensions.—Primary branches from the            main stem are stout. On a 5-year-old tree in Florida, the            average breast-height diameter of two major branches            (bifurcated from the main trunk at 60 cm above the ground)            is 9 cm. Height of primary branching often reflects            management activities because a clear basal stem is            preferred. In a second Florida field, with 4-year-old trees,            3 primary branches occur at approximately 80-90 cm above the            ground, and average 6.3 cm in diameter (range 5.6 to 7.2            cm). The bark color of these primary branches closely            resembles the color of the main trunk (greyish yellow green,            RHS 196A).        -   Branching habit.—Many smaller branches occur on the            periphery of the crown, but are too numerous to count. These            peripheral branches result in a semi-dense canopy (e.g. in            comparison to Pongamia variety ‘K207’ (U.S. Plant patent            application Ser. No. 16/602,152)) that arises, in part, from            a reduced tendency (relative to ‘K207’) of axillary buds to            elongate into axillary shoots along year-old shoots (i.e.            wood from the previous year). Averaged over three branches            on each of three trees, the outermost meter of year-old stem            encompassed 19.3 nodes, with on average only one elongating            to form an axillary shoot.        -   Buds and shoots.—Young shoots emerge from naked lateral            buds, with the most distal bud (a false terminal bud) giving            rise to a terminal shoot. Buds are hemispherical and range            from 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm wide at their base. Buds protrude            outward 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm from the stem and are between 1.0            mm to 1.5 mm thick. The typical axillary bud is strong            yellow green in color (RHS 143A), and the younger terminal            bud is strong yellow green in color (RHS 144A).        -   Terminal shoots.—The seasonal elongation of terminal shoots            on main branches is moderate, with an average of 20 cm and            encompassing 7 leaf nodes. The average stem diameter of            terminal shoots is 12.5 mm.        -   Lateral shoots.—Seasonal elongation of lateral shoots is            considerably short, with an average length of 20 cm and            bearing 6 leaf nodes. The average diameter of lateral shoots            is 3.5 mm.        -   Shoot and twig surfaces.—Woody twigs have leaf scars that            are 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm wide, showing traces of three vascular            bundles. The central scar tends to have a border that is            less distinct than the outer two. Stipule scars are pale            orange yellow (RHS 159C). The youngest shoots are hairless            and distinctly strong yellow green in color (RHS 143A) and            flexible, with no lenticels apparent to the naked eye. As            shoots mature, their color shifts to light greyish olive            (RHS 195A) and prominent lenticels become visible as raised,            light yellow-colored (RHS 162C) corky circles approximately            1.5 mm in diameter.-   Leaves:    -   -   General.—Alternate, imparipinnate with long slender            leafstalk, and hairless. Most leaves show 7 leaflets.        -   Size and shape.—The outline of a compound leaf is roughly            oval to elliptic, with an average length of 25 cm and an            average width of 15 cm.        -   Leaflets.—Blades of individual leaflets are ovate to cordate            in shape with a cuspidate to mucronate apex. Leaflet            venation tends to be arcuate. Blades of terminal leaflets            have an average length of 8 cm and an average width of 6 cm.            The smallest leaflet on a leaf tends to be a basal leaflet            with an average length of 7 cm and an average width of 5 cm.        -   Leaflet color, surface, and texture.—Leaflets are glabrous            on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Young leaves exhibit a            strikingly glossy cuticle on their adaxial surface. The            adaxial (upper) and abaxial surface of a young leaflet is            strong yellow green in color (RHS 144A). The adaxial surface            of an old leaf is moderate olive green in color (RHS 137A),            and the abaxial surface of an older leaflet is moderate            hellow green in color (RHS 137C) with prominent veins            beneath. The color changes described above accompany the            gradual maturation of younder to older leaves (and            leaflets), occurring over several (3-5) weeks, depending on            the season. As they mature, leaves and leaflets also become            increasingly sclerophyllous.        -   Stipules.—A pair of small stipules subtends the youngest            leaves on a shoot. Stipules are strong yellow green (RHS            144B) and are approximately 10 mm long by 3 mm wide, with a            glabrous surface and entire margins. Stipules remain for            only a short duration before they dehisce.-   Flowers and inflorescences:    -   -   General.—Hermaphroditic florets are borne on an            indeterminate inflorescence.        -   Inflorescence structure.—Several florets are clustered into            a fascicle node, which are generally evenly distributed            along a rachis. The entire inflorescence is a pseudoraceme.            Most inflorescences are unbranched, but some are branched.        -   Position in crown.—‘K206’ has relatively long inflorescences            with an average length of 19 cm. There are an average of 4            inflorescences per lateral shoot. Inflorescences are borne            in the basal leaf axils of the current year's vegetative            flush, near the distal end of the prior year's shoot growth.            Each rachis may hold an average of 95 florets.        -   Florets.—Emerge acropetally from a fused ovoid calyx with            entire margins and glabrous texture. The calyx has an            average depth of 4.0 mm and width of 4.5 mm, and is greyish            red in color (RHS 176A) on both the inner and outer            surfaces. The average length of pedicles is 7.0 mm and the            average diameter is 0.5 mm. Pedicels can be dark purple (RHS            83A). Zygomorphic florets consist of 2 keel, 2 wing, and a            standard (or banner) petal, and have a depth of 12.1 mm and            a diameter of 10.5 mm. The banner petal is very light purple            in color (RHS 75C) towards the edges; and has a strong            yellow green (RHS 144A) streak in the middle. The banner            petal's apex shows a notch, and the base is rounded. Wing            petals are typically 7.7 mm long and the exposed part is            moderate purplish pink in color (RHS N74D). The two keel            petals are fused together enclosing the stamens and pistil,            it is white in color (RHS NN155B), and the distal edges            display moderate yellow color (RHS 161A). The 10 stamens are            fused and enclose the pistil.        -   Flowering period.—Relative to other Pongamia cultivars in            the general area, ‘K206’ tends to flower about mid-range            into the flowering period (from November to December in            southeastern Queensland, Australia; and early-mid June in            Florida, USA).-   Fruits:    -   -   General.—Only one of the two ovules develop into a seed in            most of the pods. Immediately after fertilization, the            peduncular ovule usually aborts and remains as a small            unfilled seed. Only the stigmatic ovule develops into seed,            thus pods usually bear a single seed.        -   Shape and color.—Developing fruits first appear as moderate            yellow green (RHS 146C) flattened pods, expanding in size            into a moderate orange yellow (RHS 164B) woody appearance            when pods mature.        -   Crown distribution.—Pods can occur throughout the crown, but            are most prevalent towards the outer portions of the crown.        -   Fruit clusters.—Pods within a cluster are connected by the            rachis of the inflorescence from which they developed, with            an average of 8 pods/bunch.        -   Pod dimensions.—Average length of the pod is 33.6 mm,            average width of the pod is 18.2 mm, and average thickness            of the pod is 9.5 mm. Pods range in shape from oval to            half-moon, with an acuminate tip, and average 3.5 g in            weight.-   Seeds:    -   -   General.—Typically borne singly in pods. Sometimes an            aborted (and much smaller) seed occurs alongside a            fully-formed seed. About 1-5% of the pods may have two            seeds.        -   Seed coat.—Seeds are covered by a thin seed coat that is            usually moderate orange yellow in color (RHS 165C) when            matured.        -   Seed size.—Average seed length is 22.3 mm, average seed            width is 13.6 mm, and average seed thickness is 5.8 mm.            Average seed weight is 1.9 g.        -   Seed oil.—Oil content is 38.4% oil on a dry-weight basis,            which is higher than many other Pongamia cultivars.        -   Nut crop.—Mostly a regular bearer (generally in 2 of 3            years).        -   Crop frequency.—Most Pongamia cultivars rarely produce            abundant nut crops consistently across multiple years.            ‘K206’ bears pods more regularly than many other cultivars,            generally producing a heavier crop in 2 out of 3 years, and            a somewhat lighter crop in the third year.        -   Ripening.—Fruit ripening begins in late October and extends            into December in southeast Queensland, Australia, and from            June-July in Florida, USA. If undisturbed, pods remain in            the crown for several weeks after they ripen.

COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR VARIETIES

Unlike Pongamia cultivars ‘K128b (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,062), ‘K140’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,060), and ‘K606’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,061),‘K206’ has a tendency to produce higher yields of pods in about 2 of 3years, with pod yields in the third year being somewhat less. Thispattern of pod yield tends to resemble the yield pattern of cultivar‘K207’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/602,152), although notnecessarily during coincident years.

Seed oil content of ‘K206’, at 38.4% (dry-weight basis), is similar tothat of ‘K128b’ (38.5%) and ‘K606’ (38.6%), and is less than that of‘K207’ (40.6%) and ‘K140’ (41.4%).

Inflorescences of ‘K206’ are long and generally contain large numbers offlorets (averaging 95) as compared to cultivars ‘K128b’, ‘K140’, ‘K606’,and ‘K207’.

‘K206’ is similar to ‘K606’ in showing more vertically (upright)oriented branchlets than semi-pendulous branchlets (as found in ‘K128b’and ‘K207’) and very pendulous branchlets (as found in ‘K140’). Thisgives trees a more open canopy and allows more sunlight to reach leavesin the more interior portions of the canopy.

On ‘K206’ trees, relatively few axillary buds elongate and develop intocurrent season's branchlets. This contrasts with ‘K207’, which showsvery regular branches emerging from most of the auxillary buds. This maybe related to the tendency of ‘K206’ to have a relatively open canopy.

Leaves on ‘K206’ trees usually contain 7 leaflets, and in that senseresemble cultivars ‘K128b’ and ‘K140’. This contrasts with cultivar‘K207’, in which leaves include a mixture of 5 or 7 leaflets.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierretree named ‘K206’ as illustrated and described herein.